Florida has a healthy retirement-based economy: could we achieve the same?

WE HAVE, in the recent past, run a series of articles on the unpleasant realities facing much of rural Atlantic Canada—loss of economic base leading to loss of population base leading to loss of services leading to loss of community. 

It’s a sad, sad story. Plausible initiatives appear to be in very short supply indeed. The demographic realities of an aging population are not in our favour.

We have pointed out that the Scots, the Norwegians and the Icelanders have managed to cultivate economic initiatives and innovations in order to maintain the integrity of their rural economies.

Serious doubts have been raised about the wisdom and design of the various (and very expensive) federal economic initiatives that have seemed to place optics ahead of substance.

So, perhaps we might look to the private sector as a more likely source for at least a partial solution. We have several things going for us in that regard.

We point, in this issue, to the article on page 45 by the prolific and highly successful American writer Charles Gaines—who has, with his wife, Patricia, made Nova Scotia his main home. Because he has written screenplays for a succession of Hollywood movies, Mr. Gaines has Hollywood friends. Through those simple friendships, he has very sincerely sung the praises of Atlantic Canada to the extent that a number of very successful folks in the entertainment industry now own seasonal homes here. One man has influenced several. How many could an all-out campaign influence?

Other major players in the worlds of entertainment, industry and publishing, etc., have, over the years, found us on their own.

The numbers are small, but the economic imprint of such folk is large.

Consider for a second that the largest demographic group in the history of the planet—the boomer generation—is currently retiring or thinking about retiring, while simultaneously inheriting unprecedented wealth.

Consider for another second that our rural real estate prices constitute the deal of the century for many in the US and Western Europe—some of whom simply cannot afford (or simply choose not) to invest in their own countries.

Consider for a third second that large numbers of expatriate Atlantic Canadians might love to retire back home and just need a little nudge of encouragement.

Our rural communities are laid-back and quiet, safe, friendly, and aesthetically and culturally appealing as seasonal or full-time retirement destinations. A great deal has been said lately about our economic need for immigrants and our lack of success in recruiting and retaining same. Could it be that we are simply appealing to the wrong people?

~ Linda & Jim Gourlay
e-mail: gourlays@saltscapes.com

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